A Community Justice Service Centre in Asayita City in the Afar Region of Ethiopia has officially opened its doors, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward accessible, inclusive and participatory justice. This initiative aligns with the country’s Three-Year Justice Sector Transformation Plan, which includes a pillar on Enhancing Community-Based Justice Services.
During the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Ermias Yemaneberhan, State Minister of the Ministry of Justice (FDRE), emphasized the transformative role of people-centred justice services in fostering social cohesion and access to justice. Dr. Ermias acknowledged the vital contributions of Afar’s Medaa traditional justice system, which has long been a cornerstone of conflict resolution and peacebuilding in the region which is home to 1.8 million people. He underscored the value of integrating customary court systems with formal justice structures while ensuring compliance with the rule of law.
The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including Afar’s Justice Bureau Head, Ismael Mohammed, regional elders and justice officials. For the elders of Afar, the centre represents a transformative shift from informal gatherings under trees to a dedicated, well-equipped space for resolving disputes and delivering justice efficiently. They affirmed their continued commitment to upholding traditional values while leveraging the new resources to ensure fair and accessible justice for the people of Afar. This collaboration sets a precedent for scaling similar people-centred justice initiatives nationwide with the next community justice centre set to launch in Sidama in Southern Ethiopia.
Dr Ermias expressed his thanks to HiiL which provided technical and financial support for the establishment of the centre, working closely with the Ministry of Justice and Destiny Ethiopia to bring the vision to life.
‘We are really happy to see conflict resolution mechanisms for ordinary people scaling in this way,’’ said Hamza Tijani, HiiL’s Programme Director for Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria. ‘’This centre serves as a model for similar initiatives nationwide empowering local communities with accessible, fair, and affordable solutions that respond to their needs.’’
Looking ahead, the Afar Regional Justice Bureau plans to expand community justice centres across the region, integrating traditional and formal systems to improve service delivery. This effort is aligned with Ethiopia’s National Free Legal Aid Strategy and its broader commitment to providing justice for all.
HiiL remains committed to supporting Ethiopia’s justice transformation journey and celebrating milestones like these, which bring us closer to a future where justice systems worldwide work better for people.
